来源: http://tinyurl.com/c55qws 02/15/09 4:53 PM EST Pujols is likely to miss out on Classic If slugger is unable to get insurance on elbow, he'll skip tournament By Matthew Leach / MLB.com JUPITER, Fla. -- Albert Pujols still holds out hope of playing in the World Baseball Classic, but on Sunday the Cardinals slugger seemed resigned to the likelihood that he will have to miss the event. Pujols underwent nerve transposition surgery in his right elbow in October. As a result of the operation, the underwriters of the classic are unwilling to insure the star for his participation. And Pujols acknowledged that if he can't be insured, he won't play for the Dominican Republic. However, he also left open the possibility that he might not even pursue a berth in the Classic. Pujols represented the Dominican in the 2006 Classic. "My main priority is here, to make sure that I'm ready for my season," Pujols said. "Obviously it's always good to represent the Dominican Republic. I've already done it once. I need to make sure everything goes the right way. I'm not going to go out there and play without insurance. I don't think that's a smart thing, myself coming from an injury. ... I need to make sure right here in the next couple weeks how my elbow reacts to training here every day. I train during the offseason and it's not the same as here in Spring Training." Manager Tony La Russa recently expressed concern about Pujols playing in the tournament. Pujols feels fine at this point, but the manager's worry is that by moving into high-pressure games so quickly, rather than building gradually throughout the spring, Pujols might jeopardize the health of his elbow. Pujols seconded that worry, and admitted it was a reason to be cautious before jumping into any decision. "I know that I can control myself, but I'm concerned about that the same way too," he said. "Obviously when the games start, as you know, I don't take it easy in the game." Still, the chances are good that it will not be up to Pujols. Without an exception to the insurance policy, he is all but certain not to play. And such an exception does not appear to be in the works. "If they can't get insurance, I'm definitely not going to play," Pujols said. Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. --

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